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The Penta Podcast Channel is home of Penta's podcast - "What's At Stake". "What's at Stake" features in-house experts and often special guests for analysis on the biggest issues shaping business and public policy.
451 Episodes
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This week’s episode of What’s at Stake examines the challenges and opportunities in rebuilding America’s education-to-employment (E²) pipeline. Penta Managing Directors Ylan Mui and Felicia Wasson welcome Emily M. Dickens, J.D., Chief of Staff and Head of Government Affairs at SHRM, to discuss SHRM’s new E² Initiative and its mission to connect employers, educators, and policymakers.
Their conversation covered:
-Why SHRM is repairing the current “leaky, broken, and busted” education-to- employment pipeline.
-How the E² initiative delivers national convenings, shared projects, and playbooks that provide real examples for creating job opportunities.
-The role of partnerships in expanding access to untapped talent to fill vacant jobs.
-SHRM’s vision for scaling real-world solutions to the employment gap nationwide.
You can learn more about SHRM and its initiatives by visiting https://www.shrm.org/ and https://www.shrm.org/advocacy/e2-initiative.
In this episode of The Penta Podcast Channel, host Ylan Mui dives deep into the evolving role of the Federal Reserve and its implications for the U.S. economy under President Trump. Joined by Heather Long, Chief Economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, they discuss the historically apolitical nature of the Fed and how it has come under unprecedented scrutiny from the White House. Heather shares insights on the Fed's independence, the potential impact of interest rate changes, and the broader economic landscape, including the challenges facing middle-class Americans. Tune in for an engaging exploration of how political dynamics are reshaping monetary policy and economic stability in the United States.
This week’s episode of What’s at Stake dives into the details of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and its impact on the national debt and deficits. Marc Goldwein, senior vice president and senior policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui to discuss the tax changes, budget gimmicks and long-term fiscal consequences.
Their conversation covered:
- Whether this is really the largest tax cut in history
- Why spending cuts don’t offset the $4 trillion in added debt
- How tariffs, interest rates, and economic growth factor into the administration’s math
- Signals of a potential debt crisis
- If fiscal discipline will ever return to Washington
On this week’s episode of What’s at Stake, Penta Policy Brand Research leaders Rebecca Cunningham and Victoria Nolte join hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui to unpack findings from the 2025 Washington Insights Review, an annual Penta report based on a survey of hundreds of senior Washington policymakers
Their conversation covered:
Which issues are shaping U.S. policymaker priorities across parties, from the economy and immigration to AI, fintech, and China.
How corporate reputation in Washington has shifted post-COVID, and what’s driving both the rise of emerging sectors and the reputational slip of legacy industries.
Why companies must tailor their advocacy to resonate authentically with policymakers, and how social commitments are being evaluated differently across political parties.
The rising importance of data-backed, bipartisan engagement strategies that reflect political durability in a shifting landscape.
In this episode of The Penta Podcast Channel, join me, Yelan Moy, as I delve into the world of cryptocurrency with Deborah McCrimmon, Ripple's Vice President and Deputy General Counsel.
We explore her journey from private practice to leading Ripple's legal strategy amidst the complex landscape of digital assets. Deborah shares her insights on Ripple's mission to create a seamless financial ecosystem and discusses the pivotal SEC lawsuit that challenged the classification of XRP.
Tune in as we unpack the implications of recent legal developments, the importance of mentorship, and her advice for aspiring lawyers in the crypto space. This is a conversation you won't want to miss, filled with valuable perspectives on navigating uncharted waters in the evolving financial landscape.
On this week’s episode of What’s at Stake, former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, now a member of Penta's Global Advisory Board, shared his perspective on the evolution of political leadership and business strategy amid rising global uncertainty.
His candid and wide-ranging conversation with hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui covered:
What it was like to negotiate directly with President Trump and what he learned about the President's governing and communications playbook.
How Europe is responding to shifts in the geopolitical order.
The opportunities and threats facing companies navigating transatlantic trade during a period of volatility.
How political durability and long-term planning can help organizations stay resilient through electoral and ideological shifts.
The importance of authenticity in navigating social and cultural controversies.
You can learn more about the former Taoiseach’s background and new role within Penta Group here: https://pentagroup.com/insight/leo-varadkar-joins-penta
This week’s episode of What’s at Stake examines the future of farming and ranching through a burgeoning and innovative technology: virtual fencing. Penta Partner Andrea Christianson, Nofence Director of Global Market Development John Smout, and Monument Advocacy Principal John Weber discuss how virtual fencing—sitting at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and public policy—is changing herd and livestock management for American farmers through the use of GPS-powered collars.
Their conversation covered:
-How virtual fencing works and the benefits it brings
- The role of public policy in accelerating the growth and adoption of this technology
- What the future of agriculture could look like with a new generation of farmers
You can learn more about Nofence by visiting https://www.nofence.no/en-us/
In this week’s episode of What’s at Stake, Business Roundtable president and COO Kristen Silverberg shares her insights on the opportunities and challenges facing American businesses as they navigate a rapidly shifting policy landscape, both at home and abroad. Ambassador Silverberg shared with Bryan and Ylan the importance of corporate executives maintaining a long-term vision for success that can withstand geopolitical turbulence.
The conversation with Penta hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui covered:
The two-way street: How Business Roundtable helps members understand Washington while educating policymakers about the business impacts of their decisions
How businesses have taken proactive steps to prepare for trade uncertainty
Tax reform’s role in driving business growth and innovation
Workforce initiatives creating opportunities for those without four- or two-year degrees
You can learn more about Business Roundtable at https://www.businessroundtable.org/
In this episode of The Penta Podcast Channel, I sit down with Moesh Wunanoo, the visionary behind MoNews, to explore the transformative role of influencer journalism in today's media landscape. We delve into Moesh's journey from traditional newsrooms to launching a dynamic social-first news platform during the pandemic, driven by a desire to connect with audiences in a more personal and relatable way. He shares insights on how authenticity, transparency, and audience engagement have reshaped journalism, and the challenges of monetizing content in a rapidly evolving environment. Join us as we discuss the future of news and the impact of new media on public discourse.
This week’s episode of What’s at Stake tackles the mounting pressure on corporate America as President Donald Trump’s tariffs rattle the markets and stoke fears of a global economic slowdown. Penta CEO Matt McDonald joins hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui to discuss the response from the business community and frameworks for determining when and how to engage publicly.
Their conversation covered:
Whether tariffs are a tool for negotiation or an end result
The importance of "signposting" to determine next steps
The impact of the markets on White House and corporate decision-making
This week's episode of What's at Stake delves into the creation and consumption of media amid the rapid advancement of AI. Sally Shin, venture partner at Comcast Ventures, joins Penta hosts Ylan Mui and Andrea Christianson, to discuss the impact of this convergence on journalism and our daily lives.
Their conversation covered:
Guardrails to protect intellectual property and the accuracy of AI-generated content
Partnerships between publishers and AI companies
Opportunities to leverage AI within news organizations
The revolution that voice technologies and no-code tools could bring to content creation
This week's episode of What's at Stake explores the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency as the industry gears up for a transformative 2025 amid strong support from both the Trump administration and Capitol Hill. Ron Hammond, senior director of government relations and institutional engagement at the Blockchain Association, joins Penta hosts Ylan Mui and Bryan DeAngelis to discuss the vibeshift in Washington and the industry's policy priorities.
Their conversation covered:
Policymakers' evolving perceptions of cryptocurrency
Challenges and opportunities for stablecoin legislation
Crypto interest from institutional investors
Building consensus across the crypto universe
This week's episode of What's at Stake crosses the Atlantic to discuss the impact of President Trump's tariffs with Penta's experts in Europe. Rory O’Donnell, a partner in the Brussels office, and Stuart Harbinson, a senior adviser who has represented Hong Kong to the World Trade Organization, joined Penta managing director Ylan Mui to examine the motivations behind the tariffs and the implications of global retaliation.
Their conversation covered:
EU and Chinese perspective on trade tensions
Potential economic consequences for consumers and businesses
How the private sector can best navigate these turbulent times
The potential end game for tariffs
On this week's episode of What's at Stake, Axios political reporter Hans Nichols sits down with Penta Washington office lead Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui to discuss President Trump's priorities and potential pitfalls during his first 100 days in office…for the second time.
The trio discussed several topics, including:
Trump’s unique media strategy and how it differs from President Biden’s
The effectiveness of the blitz of executive orders
The political chess game swirling around Trump’s nominees and Congress
Insights on tariffs, tax reform, and potential legislative hurdles
Public sentiment and tipping points on key issues
You can subscribe to Hans’ newsletter, Axios Hill Leaders here: https://www.axios.com/signup/hill-leaders
On this week's episode of What's at Stake, Partner Bryan DeAngelis and Managing Director Ylan Mui speak to two special guests from the Tax Foundation, one of Washington's most influential think tanks. President and CEO Daniel Bunn and president emeritus Scott Hodge examine the complexities of the anticipated tax reform battle in 2025, and its implications for Americans and businesses, as well as the potential international ramifications.
Specific topics include:
Examination of proposed tax cuts and their potential effects on individuals and businesses
Consideration of the balance between tax cuts and the impact on the national debt
Insights on potential revenue sources and the politics surrounding them
Overview of international tax discussions and their relevance to U.S. policies
Keep listening to What’s at Stake to understand the political and economic shifts of the incoming administration, and check out Scott’s book “Taxocracy” for more on tax policy and how it affects everyday life.
Long waits at the DMV or when buying a car seem like a fact of life—but do they have to be? This week on What's at Stake, Penta senior partner Kevin Madden sits down with Shane Bigelow, CEO of CHAMP Titles, to discuss the company's mission to modernize DMVs and bring digital titling technology to the nation.
Shane shares CHAMP's founding story and explains how their technology streamlines title transfers, reducing costs, improving efficiency, and helping DMVs better serve constituents in an age of online car dealers and autonomous vehicles. Kevin and Shane also explore the environmental benefits of going digital along with improvements in privacy and security for the auto industry.
Don't miss this in-depth look at how cutting-edge technology is reshaping the future of car ownership.
On this week's episode of What's at Stake, Senior Partner Andy Whitehouse speaks with Marie Donnelly, Chair of Climate Change Advisory Council Ireland and Senior Advisor to Penta, and Director Liza McIntosh about what to expect from COP29—the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference—which begins today in Baku.
Together, they discuss the critical agenda items facing world leaders and organizations as they gather to tackle climate change. From ambitious climate finance targets to bold resilience initiatives, Andy, Liza, and Marie break down the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for a low-carbon future. They also unpack what a second Trump presidency means for climate policy—both in the U.S. and abroad.
Tune in for this timely discussion to understand what's truly at stake as COP29 shapes the future of climate action amid new geopolitical tensions.
Former President Trump is back, and Republicans are on the cusp of a sweep after winning control of the Senate and possibly the House. Join co-hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui, along with Penta senior partners Stacy Kerr and Kevin Madden, as they explore the reshaping of U.S. politics. They discuss the economic concerns driving voters, Trump’s stance on trade, tariffs, and immigration, and the challenges experienced by Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign. This election could be just the beginning of a fundamental realignment of America’s social contract.
This week on What's at Stake, hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Ylan Mui talk to Chris Wheat, President of the JPMorganChase Institute, about how the pandemic has transformed America's economy. Chris breaks down recent Institute research on how a wave of new investors—particularly younger and lower-income individuals—are taking bigger risks through behaviors like dip-buying and returns-chasing. At the same time, while many households saw their savings increase during the pandemic, those cash reserves are now starting to dwindle, impacting financial health across the board.
So, what does this all mean for the economy? Chris explains how the Institute's use of real-time, anonymized data from millions of JPMorganChase customers helps policymakers stay informed and make smarter decisions. Plus, he teases an upcoming Institute report on the booming small business sector.
Read the latest retail investing reports here: JPMorganChase Retail Investing Reports and tune in to the full episode here.
In this episode of What's At Stake, hosts Bryan DeAngelis and Kevin Madden analyze the magnetism of live music. They unpack how touring has emerged as the dominant revenue stream for musicians, exemplified by the prominence of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and the nostalgia of an upcoming Oasis tour.
Since live shows returned post-COVID, the rush for tickets has been frantic, with social media amplifying both the excitement and frustration of fans. They dive into the huge demand for ticket access and how platforms like Spotify are revolutionizing music consumption and concert access.
Tune in this week as they talk about how these shared experiences continue to unite fans and some of their favorite recent concerts.
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